Spring 2015 - The Wishletter by Make-A-Wish Arizona

The Wishletter Arizona stories of hope, strength and joy Edition 2: Spring 2015

ELLA, 10

life-threatening heart condition

I wish to be a Phoenix Suns dancer INSIDE 4 BERNIE SHOPS WITH HIS NINE SISTERS

5 OUR NEW HOME:

THE PARSONS WISH HOUSE

6 TWO WALK FOR

WISHES THIS FALL

Ella dances into the hearts of fans at Phoenix Suns game Ella loves to dance. Though she cannot communicate easily verbally, she often expresses herself through music and dancing, according to mom Carly. That is why, when Make-A-Wish Arizona visited Ella last July to talk about creating a wish experience, the focus was on finding a way to let Ella perform. Together, the wish granters and her family found Ella most energized when talking about becoming a Phoenix Suns dancer, just like she sees on TV. What they didn’t realize was that the wish experience for this little girl born with a hole in her heart

would become so much more. “This wish helped me realize that every kid needs to have something special after everything they have endured,” said Carly. And, during the three days of practice before the performance, Carly could see her little girl blossoming. “Her wish was about more than dancing, it was about becoming part of a team and sharing her experience with an entire stadium of supporters,” said Carly. “The dance team girls were so patient and loving with Ella, I wish I could hire them all as nannies!” continued on pg.6

Elizabeth Reich

Make-A-Wish® Arizona

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President/CEO Make-A-Wish® Arizona

OFFICERS CHAIRMAN

Derrick M. Hall Arizona Diamondbacks

VICE CHAIRMAN Thomas Hatten Mountainside Fitness

SECRETARY

Pamela Crim Community Leader

TREASURER

Todd Jarman BBVA Compass Bank

MEMBERS

Ronald Butler Ernst & Young Richard Cassidy The RCG Group, LLC Ajit Itty, M.D. Scottsdale Emergency Associates Kenneth Krapf Bank of Tucson Stephen A. Lenn, Esq. Sacks Tierney P.A. Joan Lessner Alliance Bank of Arizona Ian Lopatin Spiritual Gangster Mike Marmis Yam Capital, LLC Michael McQueen, M.D. Good Night Pediatrics Jennifer Moser Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations Renee Parsons The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation Sanat Patel Crosspoint Capital/AVANA Capital Jay Petkunas The Wolff Company Gayle Porterfield Cox Communications Mike Primorac Mediant Health Resources Nicole Pryde-Johnson Lovitt & Touché, Inc. Jack Roosa Raytheon Thomas M. Roskos, Jr. Intravest Development, LLC Adam Stine Stine Enterprises Tina Marie Tentori APS Dawn Valdivia Honeywell Aerospace Jameson Van Houten Stonegate Capital Advisors Sandra Watson Arizona Commerce Authority

A Message From the President Everyone loves summer vacation… including our wish families This spring was incredible for Make-A-Wish Arizona as we moved into our new home, The Parsons Wish House (more on page 5). Yet, even during construction, even during packing, even during unpacking, one thing remained top of mind for our Arizona staff – summer was coming and with it, wishes galore! The months of May, June, July and August are always the busiest of the year for our staff and this year is no different. We have a goal to grant 120 wishes in the 120 days of summer and to do that, we need your help. Of the 120 wishes we are scheduled to grant, more than 80 percent of them involve some kind of travel. Donated airline miles come in handy to support those travel wishes and can easily be shared with our organization online at www.arizona.wish. org/miles. We also need support for wishes that involve building splash pads, backyard playsets or room renovations.

Marcie White Community Leader Mike Yates Yates Buick GMC

Interested in becoming a member of the Make-A-Wish Arizona Board of Directors? Email Elizabeth Reich at ereich@arizona.wish.org to find Fallout 2014 more. – 2

Parsons Wish House Ribbon cutting celebration

Project lovers who are skilled with a hammer and an imagination are valuable to our summer projects and can easily volunteer their time with our wish kids by emailing us at info@ arizona.wish.org. And last, but not least, making cash donations directly at www. arizona.wish.org/donate helps us with our other wishes, like wishes to meet celebrities who are on tour or wishes to be superheroes like those in the summer movies. We are so excited about all the summer has to offer us as we work toward our #120wishes120days goal. And we can’t wait to share the power of a wish experience with you! Best wishes,

Elizabeth Reich President/CEO Make-A-Wish® Arizona

. ..

Celebrities give of their time to make wishes come true. You can give of your time as well.

eet

I wis h

JACKIE, 15,

leukemia

I wish to meet the Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. cast A new secret agent is born! A self-admitted “huge nerd,” Jackie devours Marvel and DC comic books. She’s watched every Marvel movie many, many times. But when Jackie was diagnosed at 13 with leukemia, she quickly realized she had to be her own superhero, and drew on the strengths of her beloved movie characters to battle her disease. “I’ve always liked to think of myself as a fighter, even before I got sick,” said Jackie. “I have admired women characters who triumph against all odds.” Her wish, to meet the cast of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,

began in Los Angeles at 5 a.m. when Jackie and her family arrived on set at the hair and make-up trailer. She couldn’t believe her luck when she realized she was seated next to Ming-Na Wen, the actress who plays one of her favorite S.H.I.E.L.D. characters, Agent Melinda May! “I just love her strong character in the show. She always kicks butt!” said Jackie. “But I didn’t realize how starstruck I would be.” Jackie and her family were quickly embraced by the members of the cast and crew. “Nick Blood (who plays Lance Hunter) kissed me twice on the cheek!” she said. And, when her fatigue took over, Jackie was whisked away to her own personalized trailer, decked out with

every luxury a young starlet would need for some much-needed rest. One of Jackie’s favorite moments of the wish was getting to know the cast as regular people and finding out how much they had in common. The length of time that goes into filming and the patience and professionalism required for the actors and actresses to remain in character were things with which she could relate, having spent nearly two years receiving chemotherapy and enduring numerous hospitalizations. Now in her final six months of maintenance chemotherapy, Jackie has a desire to do something that matters in life so she can help others. “I came away from the day believing that I can be like these amazing characters,” said Jackie. Fall 2014 Spring 2015 – 3

The experience of a shopping spree wish is truly

visit www.arizona.wish.org/adoptawish.

BERNIE, 17,

I wis h

or your company would like to adopt a wish experience,

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priceless, but we couldn’t do it without your help. If you

v ha

cancer

I wish to have a shopping spree Bernie’s shopping spree is no game Bernie has always been an avid gamer, but when you grow up with nine sisters you have to learn to share your toys. When Bernie was diagnosed with cancer, he wished to have the shopping spree he always wanted—the latest games and electronics, no “sister stuff” included. In fact, according to his sister Uvalilia, it was his wish shopping spree that motivated Bernie to keep moving forward with treatments. Fall 2014 – 4– 4 Spring 2015

“He was ready to give up on treatments, but his games help him create his own world even when he’s in pain,” she said. “When MakeA-Wish Arizona said he could have a shopping spree for all his favorite electronics, it was a big relief to us. He had something to look forward to which was really inspiring and motivational for him.” The shopping spree also fueled Bernie’s dream to someday become a video game designer as now he had everything he needed to learn from the latest and the greatest in gaming systems. The seven-hour shopping spree began with a surprise party bus that chauffeured Bernie and his entire family—a total of 12

people— to his favorite stores. With stops at Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart, Bernie selected a wide array of electronics, games, and even clothes! Now that Bernie has so many new games and gadgets to play with, he likes to challenge his sisters to different games, on the condition that he can show off his skills. “He still beats me every time,” Uvalilia said, laughing.

Make-A-Wish Arizona gifted new Wish House this April Thanks to a $2.8 million gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Make-A-Wish Arizona has a new Wish House after operating in its former location for 20 years. The 11,000-square-foot property, located near Thomas and Hayden roads in Scottsdale, will increase the organization’s ability to grant the wish of every eligible child in Arizona. “As the founding chapter, we are proud that one Arizona boy’s wish started a movement that now reaches children worldwide,” said Elizabeth Reich, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish Arizona. “The new Wish House is a game-changer for our chapter. With the Parsons’ gift, Make-A-Wish Arizona will be able to expand its reach in our community to make more wishes come true.” An average of 540 Arizona children are newly diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions every year, making them eligible for a wish.

Bob and Renee Parsons are active donors with Make-A-Wish Arizona, having donated more than $6.3 million to the organization over the last two years.

H o u s e . ..

Ne w

Our organization relies entirely on donors, both individual and corporate, to support our mission of granting the wishes of Arizona children with lifethreatening medical conditions.

“The new Wish House, so generously made possible by Bob and Renee Parsons, will provide a central location for our wish families and our volunteers, offering a home base of support that will help our chapter reach its vision,” said Derrick Hall, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks and current board chair for Make-A-Wish Arizona.

Become a part of our monthly Wishmaker Club and you will provide consistent impact to Arizona wish kids. Find out more at www.arizona.wish.org/wishmaker. Fall 2014 Spring 2015 – 5

OUR THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Studio 540 Wish Ball helps grant more than 100 wishes

PRESENTING SPONSOR Go Daddy SUPERSTAR SPONSOR Discover PLATINUM SPONSORS The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Isagenix GOLD SPONSORS Alliance Bank of Arizona American Airlines Arizona Diamondbacks Rebecca Bowman Nassikas Cox Business Mediant Health Resources The Wolff Company

On April 11, the Make-A-Wish Arizona Studio 540 Wish Ball presented by Go Daddy raised more than $765,000, which will help to grant the wishes of an additional 102 children in Arizona. With a disco theme, the Studio 540 Wish Ball called attention to the more than 540 children diagnosed each year

with a life-threatening medical condition that would make them eligible for a wish. Chaired for the third year in a row by Jennifer Moser and Renee Parsons, the event was a huge success and a very fun evening! Read more about all the fun at www.arizona.wish.org/ wishball.

ELLA, 10,

life-threatening heart condition

I wish to be a Phoenix Suns dancer

I wis h

.. be

continued from cover During practices, Ella was motivated by her amazing circle of new friends. And, when the family arrived early on game day, they all hung out in the dance team’s locker room. When it came time for the big performance, Ella had a blast dancing in front of thousands of people – including 150 supporters from her neighborhood and community. Fall 2014 – 6– 6 Spring 2015

“I was blown away,” Carly said. “Ella received an opportunity that not every girl her age can have and the whole experience was really special.” Since the wish, Ella grabs her pompoms and Phoenix Suns jersey first thing every morning, so she can be just like her friends on the dance team.

“She loved every minute of her wish,” said Carly. “And it gave us an opportunity not to think about her condition but to have fun watching her do what she loves.”

Did you know 77 percent of our wishes include travel? You can help wish kids like Larry travel to their

.. go

I wis h

wish destinations by donating your airline miles at

LARRY, 8,

www.arizona.wish.org/miles.

cancer

I wish to go to the LEGO Factory in Denmark

LEGO factory builds perfect wish for Larry Larry is fascinated with LEGO products and has always wondered how the bricks are made. When he was diagnosed with lymphoid leukemia, it was a very difficult time for his family and it felt like they were always giving up things because of his illness. But he never would have guessed that his wish, to travel all the way to Denmark to visit the LEGO Factory, would be able to give so much back to him!

“When I finally went on my wish I was so relieved,” Larry said. “I was counting down the days!” Larry and his family enjoyed an entire week of LEGO fun, meeting LEGO employees and learning how LEGO bricks are made by machines and computers. In addition to three days at LEGOLAND, they toured the top-secret toy factory and manufacturing plant. “It was as big as 10 football fields!” said Larry’s mom, Tiana. “We were there all day and there was so much to do we literally had to run from place to place.” His mom said it warmed her heart to see the employees at LEGO make the experience so special for Larry, without treating him

differently because of his illness. “People always seem to look or stare at Larry because his hands shake,” Tiana said. “It was so refreshing to feel just like regular people.” Today, Make-A-Wish Arizona is still a part of their lives. “It was such a humbling experience,” Tiana said. “When you are dealing with cancer in the family, it feels like you always have to give so much. Make-AWish Arizona taught us that even though you’re going through something really difficult, you can also receive this amazing experience that turns into a strong relationship with the organization.” Fall 2014 Spring 2015 – 7

2901 North 78th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Arizona.wish.org 602.395.9474 Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

facebook.com/makeawishaz twitter.com/makeawishaz youtube.com/makeawishaz instagram.com/makeawisharizona

This Fall, TWO Walk for Wishes in Arizona! Make-A-Wish Arizona hosts walk in Phoenix AND in Tucson. The 2015 Make-A-Wish Arizona Walk For Wishes Phoenix will be held October 4 at Tempe Marketplace and, due to the huge success of past walks, our chapter has added a second event, on October 18 at the University of Arizona Mall in Tucson. Now everyone can get in on the fun and fundraising for future Arizona wishes. Last year, more than 2,500 Phoenix walk participants raised a record $250,000 toward the funding of 33 wishes in Arizona. The event was not all about dollars, however. It was also about fun, and granting the wish of Lexi, who found out at the event that she was going on the Talia Joy fan cruise! We hope you can join us this year at either or both of our amazing walk locations as we continue to work to grant future wishes for children in Arizona! Visit www.arizona.wish. org/walk for more information. Fall 2014 – 8– 8 Spring 2015